Whether you’re a food blogger who wants a polished look on their homepage, a home cook looking to impress friends and families on Facebook, or a professional photographer wanting to expand her milieu to appeal to the burgeoning foodie movement, taking great pictures of food relies on a few key principals. To avoid washed out, uninspired, and – gasp! – unappetizing food pictures, follow these three basic rules.
1. It’s All in the Plating
If it doesn’t look good on the plate, it probably won’t photograph well. Poorly or inexpertly plated food can make a product look boring, so it behooves you to either develop plating skills yourself or enlist the help of a professional food stylist. Set a good stage and a beautiful picture will follow.
2. Don’t Forget Great Lighting
When it comes to lighting your dish, natural light it best but it’s not always practical. Used with a subtle touch, artificial lighting can still get you a great shot. Stay away from lighting the food from the front, as this washes out the shadows and can make food look artificially glossy. Texture, shadow, and a natural look create mouth-watering esthetics that will entice your audience.
3. The Rule of Thirds
This is the most basic rule of composition in photography and its principles are simple. Divide your picture into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, so it creates a grid resembling a tic-tac-toe board. Position the subject of your photograph at points where the gridlines intersect to create visually interesting and stimulating shots.
For blogs and social media, taking your own food pics is best. When shooting food for menus, websites, or brochures, opting to work with a professional food photographer will give your pictures a much more polished look than you might be able to create on your own.
About Your Dallas Professional Photographer:
Doug Davis has been producing professional, engaging videos and product, food, and lifestyle photography from his Dallas photography studio for over 20 years. We’d love to discuss how video can play a vital role in your dynamic marketing strategy. D-Squared Studios is located at 4312 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas 75226. Contact our office at (214)746-6336 or doug.davis@d2studios.net to schedule a consultation.